Programs and Services for Youth

Do you know about the Starter Company Program?

Chelsey Hart started Hart and Home Cleaning Service with the help of a $5,000 Starter Company Program Grant. Chelsey is the firsrt recipient in Sarnia-Lambton.

Maybe the Starter Company Program is right for you - find out more -click HERE! Pictured, Chelsey Hart and Entrepreneurship Programs Co-ordinator Chantelle Core.

Are you a young person with a great business idea - but don't know where to start? We can help.

Chantelle Core, our Entrepreneurship Programs Co-ordinator, is here to work with you to help turn your dream of starting a business into reality. Email Chantelle at chantelle@sarnialambton.on.ca, or give her a call at 519-332-1820, extention 222.

The Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton and the Government of Ontario are dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship to the youth in this community. We are ready to assist you if you are interested in pursuing your dream of owning your own business or just want to find out if it's possible.

Youth Entrepreneurship Programs

Programs currently being offered through the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton directed at promoting Youth Entrepreneurship include:

Summer Company

The Summer Company program provides hands-on business training and mentoring, together with awards of up to $3,000, to help enterprising young people start up and run their own summer business. Ages 15-29. Check out our Summer Company Facebook page or the Ministry Facebook page at www.facebook.com/summercompany.

If you are a student with an entrepreneurial spirit, you could create your own company with the help of the Summer Company program! Email Chantelle at chantelle@sarnialambton.on.ca, or give her a call at 519-332-1820 extension 222.

Photo - Summer Company 2013 participants.

Business Plan Competition

TheSarnia-Lambton YouTube Video Pitch and Business Plan Competitionprovides high school students with the opportunity to pitch a business idea in less than 2 minutes. The top 10 YouTube Video submissions will qualify as finalists. These students will be guided through the process of writing a business plan while receiving expert constructive critiques from a set of local business professionals, with the goal of winning one of six cash prizes. First prize is $1,000.

Canadian Youth Business Foundation

Are you a young entrepreneur, aged 18-39, ready to start our own business? If so, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is your "go to" resource. We can help you bring a business idea to life! From pre-launch to growth and expansion, CYBF supports young entrepreneurs throughout the life cycle of their businesses by providing pre and post-launch coaching, financing, mentoring, and business resources. Combined resources of $45,000 from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and the Business Development Corporation may be available to qualifying youth. Contact Chantelle Core at 519-332-1820 / toll free 1-800-972-7642 or chantelle@sarnialambton.on.ca for more information on these programs.

Ontario Youth Employment Fund

This new youth employment initiative launched in September 2013. It provides incentives to employers to help cover the cost of wages and training for new hires when they provide job placements for four to six months. To be eligible to receive Youth Employment Funding a person must be between 15 and 29 years of age, unemployed, not attending school full-time, and a resident of Ontario. Lambton College is one of three employment service providers in Lambton County delivering this program. See the media release here.